Anti-tank hedgehogs can now be seen in the very heart of Kyiv, the central Independence Square

[Donkees]

The Kyiv Independent
@KyivIndependent
·
2m
Anti-tank hedgehogs can now be seen in the very heart of Kyiv, the central Independence Square and Khreshchatyk Street.

Photo: Illia Ponomarenko/The Kyiv Independent

[Donkees]

1. *

https://democraticunderground.com/100216432799

[markie]

2. ...

[Donkees]

5. Thank you for providing their YouTube link, which includes a live stream ...

[Tommy Carcetti]

3. I stayed at the Hotel Ukraine in the center of the picture.

It gave me a postcard-like view of the entire square.

When I visited in 2019, Independence Square and Khreshchatyk Street were bustling and full of life. Tons of people just casually strolling, shopping, sightseeing, and having a good time. I remember seeing a guy with a drum set in the middle of the square constantly drumming for 12 hours straight, with a crowd cheering him on. We ate al fresco at a Turkish restaurant alongside the street.

At that time, it was one of the most peaceful places I've ever been. The people felt so at ease there.

It's extra heartbreaking when you contrast it with the images now.

[Karadeniz]

4. How do they work? Looks like a tank could just shove them away or the tank people could pop out

For a minute and carry them aside. What am I missing ???

[Aristus]

6. Hedgehogs are actually much better at deterring amphibious landings,

as they can rip out the bottoms of landing craft. They featured prominently in the opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan". D-Day planners accounted for this hazard by landing the troops at low tide, during which, the hedgehogs would be clearly visible and easy to avoid. Unfortunately, that meant charging up several hundred yards of exposed beach under enemy fire.

These hedgehogs won't do much since they don't look to be anchored to anything.

The Swiss have hedgehogs all ready to go at every border crossing in the country if the threat of war looms. But these hedgehogs would be anchored to holes in the ground that are kept capped during peacetime.

[Karadeniz]

7. Thank you ! Next life, I'm going to West Point !

[Aristus]

9. I didn't.

I enlisted as a lowly private in 1986. I served as an M1A1 Abrams tanker, including the Gulf in 1991 (deployed, but didn't serve in combat), and got out as a sergeant.

'Tank sergeant' is one of the proudest titles I bear, right along with 'liberal Democrat', 'Physician Assistant', and 'LGBTQ-friendly'.

[Donkees]

10. Technical details ...

Technical details
The hedgehog is not generally anchored to prevent movement, as it can be effective even if rolled by a large explosion. Its effectiveness lies in its dimensions, combined with the fact that a vehicle attempting to drive over it will likely become stuck (and possibly damaged) through rolling on top of the lower bar and lifting its treads (or wheels) off the ground.[2]

Industrially manufactured Czech hedgehogs were made of three pieces of metal angle (L 140/140/13 mm, length 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in), weight 198 kilograms (437 lb); later versions: length 2.1 metres (6 ft 11 in), weight 240 kilograms (530 lb) joined by gusset plates, rivets and bolts, or welded together into a characteristic spatial three-armed cross with each bar at right angles to the other two.[citation needed] (This pattern forms the axes of an octahedron.) Two arms of the hedgehog were connected in the factory, while the third arm was connected on-site by M20 bolts. The arms were equipped with square "feet" to prevent sinking into the ground, as well as notches for attaching barbed wire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_hedgehog

[Karadeniz]

11. Ah, well here's to tanks being lifted up... they'll look like when a vet puts a tortoise on a stool.

the modern version of the Roman testudo !

[SunSeeker]

8. I hope we are POURING aid on Ukraine. Especially now, before roads are bombed.

The big stuff will need to be trucked in, and will be vulnerable to bombing before it reaches its destination.